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The article offers information related to the Asset Management Period 5 (AMP5) project in England. It informs that spending of water companies in the final AMP5 plans was down by 12% in August 2008 due to rise in the cost of debt and mentions about the postponement of the reservoir planned at Oxfordshire until AMP6. Piers Clark, an executive related to the project, stated that the cutbacks will delay new constructions and majority works will focus on maintaining existing facilities.

The article reports on the mass of activity that transform the Olympic Park from a polluted post-industrial wasteland into a clean site ready for construction in London, England. The author explains the clearing of 190 buildings and the recycling of 92% of the entire material in the area. Moreover, it highlights the relocation of three steel-framed buildings, reuse of materials saved from large amount of London stock brick, and concrete paving slobs from the old highways. INSETS: Targeting recycling;Cleaning the earth.

The article offers information on the Prescott Lock project in England with four organizations sharing the cost with British Waterways. Part of the project is the construction of a lock, two flood control gates and a fish pass on the Prescott Channel, plus a new weir at the mouth of the Three Mills river. The main contractor of the scheme is Volker Stevin while consultant Tony Gee developed the designs before work started on site in April 2007.

The article reports that firms building the London 2012 stadium were warned against complacency as they prepared for the project's biggest technical challenge so far. Construction of the key Olympic venue has just entered its second year on schedule, but Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt warned that erection of the stadium's cablenet roof was a major risk to the success of the project. As with the rest of the building, a stadium roof has never been designed in this way before.

The article reports on the dispute between contractor Multiplex Co. and steel subcontractor Cleveland Bridge of Wembley National Stadium in England. It is stated that Multiplex had sought £25 million in damages due to Cleveland's decision to walk off the job. The judge at the Technology & Construction Court (TCC) told Cleveland to pay Multiplex £6.15 million in damages. The TCC also provided several flexible means to aid in solving the case and minimise its legal cost.

The article reports that shadow Thames Gateway minister Stewart Jackson will hold the Thames Gateway regeneration project spending due to lack of leadership and lack of detail on the £7 billion investment. Jackson adds that they will conduct an audit and moratorium on spending from Tower Hamlets to the Isle of Sheppey. Moreover, it cites the arguments of Laing O'Rourke chief executive Tony Douglas and London Thames Gateway Development Corp. chairman Lorraine Baldry on the moratorium.

The article reports that 260 million pound is being used in waterfront schemes of Liverpool, England to transform it into a tourist hotspot. It mentions that waterfront is the main source of revenue in the city and three major schemes are completed including the cruise line facility comprising of four pontoons outside the Liver Building and the Liverpool Canal Link project. Clients for both the projects were Liverpool City Council and British Waterways respectively.

The article focuses on an investigation on whether a barrage is the best means of harnessing tidal power in the Severn River Estuary in England and Wales, conducted by a consortium led by consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. The consortium members include Black & Veatch, HR Wallingford, ABPmer, Hartley Anderson and green charity, the Environment Council. The Severn Estuary's 14m tidal range is considered to be the second highest in the world and a potentially huge resource of tidal power.

The article discusses environmental issues regarding the construction of the Severn Barrage, a concrete dam stretching across the Severn Estuary in Cardiff, Wales and Weston, England. According to Friends of the Earth (FOE), the construction could destroy up to 60% of the estuary's inter-tidal habitat. Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) commissioner for Wales Peter Davies says the Barrage's feasibility needs to answer critical questions if it is to able to justify the construction.

The article provides information on GE19, an 84 metre span steel warren truss bridge in Brick Lane in the East End of London, England. The bridge is being erected by fabricator Fairfield Mabey on a site adjacent to the six national rail lines it must eventually cross. It is one of three new bridges being built by Balfour Beatty/ Carillion joint venture as part of its main works package on Transport for London's (TfL) East London Line project. GE19 will link the existing line from Whitechapel to the Kingsland Viaduct.

The article discusses issues related to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) program of Great Britain for the construction of the Olympic Park in London, England. The Programme Delivery Baseline Report defines the scope and timetable for all major works on the project, as well as reproducing the detailed breakdown of London's £9.3 billion budget first revealed by Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell in December 2007.

The article offers a look at a construction of an in-vessel composting facility at West London Composting (WLC) in west London, England. The 2.4 hectare (ha) site is taking green waste from five west London boroughs and four district councils in Hertfordshire. It is also taking organic materials like garden waste and food waste. The article also describes the composting procedure implemented at the facility.

The author investigates the challenges faced by designers, contractors and manufacturers in building temporary sports facilities needed for the London 2012 Olympics. The London Olympic Committee has proposed to the International Olympic Committee the construction of a temporary sports facilities to prevent the construction of facilities with little use to local communities after its use. London authorities planned to surpass the use of local facilities from all previous Olympics.

The article focuses on the Camp for Climate Action that was erected on land between the villages of Sipson and Harlington in west London, England. Direct action in protest at major infrastructure schemes is nothing new, although it has taken a lower profile in recent years. The Heathrow demonstration coincided with the close of the consultation on the government's planning White Paper. The paper lists a number of provisions for public engagement, including mandatory public consultation by promoters of schemes before they get to the planning commission.

The article assesses the impact of a late June 2007 flooding in the north of England on future development. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the flooding hit 27,000 homes and 5,000 businesses and is likely to generate a total of £1 billion in insurance claims. According to the Environment Agency, 80% of identified sites in southeast England, are at risk of flood and 10% of those houses to be built on flood plains are at serious risk.

The article focuses on the project called Inspired for the Science Museum Swindon in Wiltshire, England which aims to create engineering experience for schoolchildren. Head of development Sally Petifer says if they are not getting children interested in the sciences at the 12 to 16 year old stage, they are not going to choose those disciplines at secondary level of education. Inspired is founded on the principle that pupils will retain more of what they are taught through active learning.

The article focuses on the contractors of water and gas mains in London, England during early 19th century. Mains in London are termed as Victorian which means that it is built well by Victorians to last long. Clancy Docwra is associated with the present renewal programme. Thomas Docwra is responsible for the pipe laying for the New River Company, the largest water company in London. John Aird worked for the Phoenix Gas Company as an inspector and manager, at the same time began mains laying contracts.

The article reports that the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) of Great Britain in November 2006 admitted that the cost of building London, England's Olympic Park would be significantly higher than the £2.4bn put forward in London's bid document to host the 2012 Games. What ODA chief executive David Higgins and acting chairman Sir Roy McNulty told the London Assembly was that regeneration, security and value added tax had pushed up the price, without mentioning any specific figures.

The article discusses the regeneration and infrastructure plans in preparation for the 2012 Olympics in London, England. Construction of the park will be carried out by the Olympic Delivery Authority, with transport infrastructure overseen by Transport for London. The most vital piece of infrastructure to support the Olympic events is the relief road which is seen as the catalyst for change by the local industry.

The article discusses the selection of CLM, the consortium of program manager CH2M Hill, Laing O'Rourke and Mace, to manage the building of facilities for the 2012 Olympic games in London, England. The team beat U.S. company Bechtel to become the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) delivery partner. CH2M Hill international group president Bob Card will become deputy program manager for planning and integration at CLM.

The article reports that the British Highways Agency appointed Nuttall Great Barford and Capita Symonds to work on its Early Contractor Involvement projects. The £57 million A421 Great Barford Bypass in Bedford, England was the first project the companies collaborated on. The second scheme is the £55 million A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick improvement in Cambridge, England. Agency's managing agent contractor Carillion URS advised Nuttall to install emergency access gates.

The article reports that structural engineers have said that the collapse of a four-storey retail property owned by Sorbon Estate in Hertfordshire, England appeared to have been caused by the removal of part of a load bearing wall.

The article reports that London Gateway port developer, DP World is attempting to avoid paying for the £100 million upgrade of the M25's junction 30 in Essex, England. The developer has requested the Department for Transport (DfT) and Department for Communities and Local Government to remove one of the key planning conditions of the project. It is stated that DP's resistance to pay for the upgrade is justifiable as the port is of national importance and the Highways Agency should fund it.

The article focuses on the efforts made by engineers of London, England 2012 Olympic games to minimize the risk of the Olympic Park, Stratford, England's proposed wind turbine showering lumps of ice onto members of the public. Mott MacDonald energy director Simon Harrison said that any turbine at risk of icing should be monitored with closet circuit televisions or ice detectors and shut down when icing is thought to occur.

The article reports that the construction of a £1.5bn London Gateway container port work is at standstill outside London, England as port operator DP World is currently reviewing the expansion plans for all its ports across the globe. A joint venture between contractor Laing O'Rourke and Dredging International was due to begin work on the London Gateway port's £400M first phase by the end of 2008.

The article reports that the Severn Barrage's inclusion on the Great Britain's government shortlist of tidal power schemes being considered for the Severn Estuary,England, got a mixed reaction from green groups. The Green Parties and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) criticised the government for backing the scheme which they claim will destroy the natural habitat of thousands of birds. It was however, welcomed by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC).

The article informs that the development of the world's largest offshore wind farm is under threat because of Sterling weakness. The pound's fall in value against the Euro has increased the cost of wind turbine components for the 1GW London Array. The project would be situated in the Thames Estuary, east of London, and will consist of up to 271 turbines, generating enough power for 750,000 homes.

The article offers updates on the Crossrail construction project in London, England. It focuses on the logistics contract awarded to DHL Exel Supply Chain to research how to minimise the impact of Crossrail construction on the traffic in central London. The study is going to investigate the most efficient means to deliver equipment and materials while also ensuring smooth traffic flows.

The article reports on the announcement by the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority in England(GMWDA) that it was aiming to finalize negotiations for its £3.3 billion Private Finance Initiative contract with John Laing PLC and Viridor in 2008 in Great Britain. GMWDA originally chose Viridor Laing joint venture as preferred bidder, but the complexity of the deal implied that every deadline has been missed. Furthermore, downturn in the recyclable materials markets was another reason

The article reports on the opening of Wood Lane station on October 13, 2008 as a vital transport link for the newly opened White City shopping center in London, England. The new station was funded by Australian mall company Westfield in line with its £170 million contribution to £200 million of local transport improvements associated with its shopping center. Moreover, the station's construction was managed by London Underground Ltd.

The article reports that Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) was selected to build on four temporary venues for 2012 Olympics after contractors banished the opportunity in London, England. In building the structures, ODA will secure suppliers across 15 packages and project manage construction for the basketball arena, water polo, BMX track and athletes training ground. The 15 packages will range across materials and services such as temporary seating and scaffolding.

The article reports that Multiplex Construction UK has won the final ruling on its legal battle with steel fabricator Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd. on the Wembley Stadium project cost dispute in London, England. Multiplex had increased its claim from £3 million to £25 million after the court ruling that Cleveland was at fault when it walked off the job. Moreover, it cites the suggestion and criticism of Technology and Construction Court judge Justice Jackson to both companies.

The article reports that sources of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has substantiated that the design for the 2012 Olympic Games media centre is subjected to a review. Accordingly, the sources confirmed that the £400 million structures, which will house the world's media during the 2012 Olympic games, has met funding problems.

The article reports that Atkins became the first firm from the construction sector to officially sponsor the London 2012 Olympic Games with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) in England. Atkins will supply engineering goods and services for free in exchange for the Games logo. The deal will allow Atkins to advertise itself as a tier three London 2012 supporter.

The article reports that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week confirmed planning consent for a 500MW wind farm off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. Speaking at business lobby group CBI Scotland's annual dinner in Glasgow on Thursday, Brown revealed the go-ahead for 139 turbines to be constructed at West of Duddon Sands wind farm near Walney Island, emphasising Britain's need for energy security in the current economic climate.

The article reports on the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) active role in the procurement of supplies need for the 2012 Olympics in London, England. It relates the volume of large contracts on the Olympic Park being awarded in the construction of Aquatic Center, main stadium, Velopark. Moreover, it also mentions that there is still smaller jobs and subcontracts needed by ODA who are committed to collaborative working.

The article reports that the Crossrail Bill, which grants powers to acquire land and for Crossrail to be built and maintained, has received Royal Assent in London, England. It states that the Crossrail Act enables Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) to award revamped design contracts after years of planning. The Crossrail stretches from Maidenhead and Heathrow through tunnels under via stations that include Paddington.

The article reports that Volker Stevin Marine has won the Tyne Tunnel contract in New Castle, England. The contract will allow them to establish the immersed tube section with a budget of £260 million, as well as to make, submerge and transport the tunnel units. Halcrow has been chosen to design the tunnel.

The article presents information on the withdrawal of Shell Co. Ltd. from the development of a 1GW offshore London Array windfarm, 32km off the Essex coast, England which was set to become the world's largest offshore windfarm. The firm is stated to have pulled out from the project due to rising cost which is considered to have more than doubled from £1bn to £2.5bn. The firm is stated to be more focused in investing on renewable technologies on onshore windfarms in the U.S.

The article reveals that London 2012 firms developing the Olympic Park's neighbouring Stratford City site are looking at cutting the number of client bodies involved in delivering the Athletes Village site. The firms involved are London & Continental Railways (LCR), Westfield and its preferred development partner Lend Lease, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and its delivery partner CLM. Westfield has already ruled itself out of the project as it wishes to be involved solely on the retail element of the Stratford City site.

The article focuses on the recommendations by Sir Michael Pitt, former chief executive of both Cheshire and Kent county councils, that every county council and unitary authority in England and Wales will have to hire senior flood management engineers. Pitt has confirmed that his final report, will recommend that in-house experts be employed to enable councils to lead on the management of surface water flooding and drainage.

The article reports on the decision by the British Olympic Development Authority (ODA) to start the construction of the swimming pool that will be used at the 2012 Olympic Games three months ahead of schedule. ODA infrastructure and utilities director Simon Wright announced that the official start date of the construction for the swimming pool in London, England will be in April 2008, instead of the planned start date in July 2008.

The article reports that London 2012's main Olympic stadium will have a roof that will only cover spectators sitting in its 65,000 temporary seats during the Games. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) revealed Team Stadium's design of the key venue. It shows spectators sitting in the structure's 25,000 permanent seats closest to the running track will be exposed to the elements.

The article reports that London 2012's main stadium is to cost £500M, double the price published in the capital's bid to stage the Olympics the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) confirmed. ODA chairman John Armitt told the London, England Assembly that the final cost of the 80,000-seat athletics venue would be £496M.

The article reports on a consultation paper to be published by the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) that will propose the introduction of late finishes to agreed portions of water firms' five-year Asset Management Plans (AMP) in England and Wales in 2007. Ofwat officials hope this will help prevent the drought in work that traditionally marks the start of each AMP period. It is also hoped that it will ease the deluge of contracts towards each period's end.

The article reports that contractor Hochtief pulled out of negotiations for the construction of the London 2012 aquatics center in England in October 2007. Earlier, French firm Eiffel terminated its negotiations with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) over construction of the key venue. Hochtief's withdrawal leaves Balfour Beatty lone bidder for the Zaha Hadid/Arup designed pool.

The article reports on a contract won by consultant Faber Maunsell to design a wetland protection project at Wallasea Island in Essex, England. The project, funded by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), will require a series of flood control structures to allow tidal water from the River Crouch estuary to partially flood the island. Faber Maunsell has already designed a smaller wetlands scheme at Wallasea for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).